Method for manufacturing double-sided printed circuit board

ABSTRACT

An insulating substrate with metal foils on both sides thereof is prepared, and a through hole that passes through the metal foils and insulating substrate is formed. An electroless copper plating layer is formed on an inner surface of the through hole and a surface of each of the metal foils, followed by the formation of an electrolytic copper plating layer on the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer. After removing the electrolytic copper plating layer except the portions on the inner surface and a peripheral region of the through hole, the metal foils are processed to form conductor patterns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing double-sided printed circuit boards including an insulating substrate having conductor patterns formed on both sides thereof.

2. Description of the Background Art

Printed circuit boards are used in a variety of electrical or electronic devices. Among the printed circuit boards are single-sided printed circuit boards including an insulating substrate of e.g. an insulating plastic having a conductor pattern made of a metal foil such as copper on one side thereof and double-sided printed boards including an insulating substrate having conductor patterns on both sides thereof.

In a double-sided printed circuit board, a via hole that is metal plated or the like is used to establish an electrical connection between the conductor patterns on the sides of an insulating substrate. Among via holes are through holes that are formed to pass through the conductor patterns on both sides and an insulating substrate, and blind via holes that are formed to pass through the conductor pattern on one side only and an insulating substrate.

JP 2003-8204 A discloses a method for manufacturing printed circuit boards that provide formation of fine patterns as well as improved flexural properties and dimensional accuracy, while preventing electrical connection between terminals. The method as disclosed in JP 2003-8204 is now described.

An insulating substrate with metal foils on both sides thereof is first prepared. Next, a through hole is formed so that it passes through the insulating substrate and metal foils on both sides, followed by the formation of an electroless copper plating layer on the surfaces of the metal foils.

Then, the metal foils are patterned by etching to form conductor patterns that include a peripheral region of the through hole. A plating resist is subsequently formed over the electroless copper plating layer except the portions on the inner surface and the peripheral region of the through hole, and then with the plating resist as a mask, an electrolytic copper plating layer is formed on the electroless copper plating layer on the inner surface and peripheral region of the through hole. After this, the electroless copper plating layer is removed except the portions under the electrolytic copper plating layer. Finally, the above is coated with a cover layer.

The double-sided printed circuit board thus formed according to the method described in JP 2003-8204 A exhibits high flexural properties, since the electrolytic copper plating layer is formed only on the inner surface and peripheral region of the through hole and not on the other regions.

The double-sided printed circuit board according to JP 2003-8204 A, however, shows a tendency for uneven thickness of the electrolytic metal plating layer on the peripheral region of the through hole.

This may result in deterioration of the reliability of electrical connection in connecting the double-sided printed circuit board with electronic parts such as semiconductor devices or other wiring circuit boards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing double-printed circuit boards with improved flexural properties and electrical connection reliability.

The present inventors have carried out various experiments and considerations to find out that the above-mentioned problematic tendency of the thickness of the electrolytic metal plating layer on the peripheral region of the via hole to become uneven is due to increases in the current density in the peripheral region of the via hole during the formation of the electrolytic metal plating layer. Thus, in order to make the current density uniform during the formation of the electrolytic metal plating layer, the inventors have devised the invention as shown below.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board comprises the steps of preparing an insulating substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof, forming a via hole that passes through at least one of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate, forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of the via hole and surfaces of the conductor layers, forming an electrolytic metal plating layer on an overall surface of the conductive layer, removing the electrolytic metal plating layer except portions on the inner surface of the via hole and a peripheral region of the via hole, and after removing the electrolytic metal plating layer, processing the conductor layers to form conductor patterns.

In the method for manufacturing the double-sided printed circuit board, the insulating substrate having the conductor layers on its both sides is prepared, and the via hole that passes through at least one of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate is formed. The conductive layer is then formed on the inner surface of the via hole and the surfaces of the conductor layers, followed by the formation of the electrolytic metal plating layer on the overall surface of the conductive layer. Then, the electrolytic metal plating layer is removed except the portions on the inner surface and peripheral region of the via hole, after which the conductor layers are processed to form the conductor patterns.

In this manner, the electrolytic metal plating layer is formed on the overall surface of the conductive layer, which makes the current density including that of the peripheral region of the via hole uniform. This allows for a uniform thickness of the electrolytic metal plating layer on the peripheral region of the via hole. Further, the electrolytic metal plating layer is removed, after its formation, except the portions on the inner surface and peripheral region of the via hole, thus leading to improved flexural properties. This results in a double-sided printed circuit board with improved flexural properties and electrical connection reliability.

The step of forming the via hole may include the step of forming a through hole that passes through both of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate as the via hole.

The step of forming the via hole may include the step of forming a hole that passes through one of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate.

The method of manufacture may further comprise the step of, after removing the electrolytic metal plating layer, reducing the thickness of each of the conductor layers except that of the peripheral region of the via hole.

In this manner, the thickness of each of the conductor layers except the thickness of the peripheral region of the via hole is reduced, allowing for further improved flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board.

The step of preparing the insulating substrate may include the step of preparing a flexible substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof as the insulating substrate. The flexural properties of the flexible substrate allow for even further improved flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board.

The step of preparing the insulating substrate may include the step of preparing an insulating substrate having metal films as the conductor layers on both sides thereof.

The step of forming the conductive layer may include the step of forming an electroless metal plating layer as the conductive layer.

The step of forming the conductive layer may include the step of forming a carbon layer as the conductive layer.

The step of preparing the insulating substrate having the conductor layers on the both sides thereof may include the steps of forming a first resin layer on a first metal layer, forming a second resin layer on a second metal layer, superimposing the second resin layer on the first resin layer to form a laminate including the first metal layer, the first resin layer, the second resin layer, and the second metal layer, and applying pressure and heat to the laminate.

This allows the manufacture of the insulating substrate having the conductor layers on its both sides without using an adhesive.

The method of manufacture may further comprise the step of forming a resin layer on the insulating substrate so as to cover the conductor patterns. The conductor patterns are thus protected with the resin layer.

According to the present invention, the manufacture of double-sided printed circuit boards with improved flexural properties and electrical connection reliability is possible.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a), 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), 1(e), 1(f), 1(g), and 1(h) are cross sectional views showing the manufacturing steps of a double-sided printed circuit board according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f), 2(g), and 2(h) are cross sectional views showing the manufacturing steps of a double-sided printed circuit board according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Methods for manufacturing double-sided printed circuit boards according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, a method for manufacturing a double-sided printed board according to a first embodiment will be described where a through hole that passes through both of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate is formed as a via hole, and then, a method for manufacturing a double-sided printed board according to a second embodiment will be described where a blind via hole that passes through one of the conductor layers and the insulating substrate is formed as a via hole.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1( a), 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), 1(e), 1(f), 1(g), and 1(h) are cross-sectional views showing the manufacturing steps of a double-sided printed circuit board according to the first embodiment. The double-sided printed circuit board in the first embodiment is a flexible circuit board.

As shown in FIG. 1( a), an insulating substrate 1 having a metal foil 2 a and a metal foil 2 b, respectively, on its both sides is prepared first. The metal foils 2 a and 2 b are made of copper, and the insulating substrate 1 is made of a layer of polyimide resin. The insulating substrate 1 preferably has a thickness t0 of not smaller than 12.5 μm and not greater than 125 μm. Each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b preferably has a thickness t1 of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 35 μm. A method for manufacturing the insulating substrate 1 with the metal foils 2 a, 2 b will be described below.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1( b), a through hole 6 is formed in a prescribed position such that it passes through the metal foils 2 a, 2 b and the insulating substrate 1. The through hole 6 is formed by drilling, punching, laser machining or other processes. The inside diameter of the through hole 6 is preferably not smaller than 25 μm and not greater than 500 μm.

A conductive layer is subsequently formed over the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b. In the first embodiment, an electroless copper plating layer 3 is used as the conductive layer. More specifically, the surfaces of the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b are coated with a palladium catalyst, and then immersed in a copper plating solution. The electroless copper plating layer 3 is thus formed on an inner surface 6 a of the through hole 6 and the surfaces of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b, as shown in FIG. 1( c). The metal foil 2 a and metal foil 2 b are electrically connected through the electroless copper plating layer 3. The electroless copper plating layer 3 has a thickness of 0.3 μm, for example.

After this, electrolytic copper plating is applied to the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 3 to form an electrolytic copper plating layer 4, as shown in FIG. 1( d). The electrolytic copper plating layer 4 preferably has a thickness of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 20 μm, for example.

Etching is then performed with an etch resist (not shown) formed on the portions of the through hole 6 and a peripheral region 6 b of the through hole to remove the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 except the portions of the through hole 6 and the peripheral region 6 b, as shown in FIG. 1( e).

It is preferred that the peripheral region 6 b is defined within the range of a radius of not smaller than 100 μm and not greater than 500 μm, for example, of the center of the through hole 6.

After removing the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 except the portions of the through hole 6 and peripheral region 6 b, the electroless copper plating layer 3 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b are etched except the portion on the peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6 to reduce the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b. The above-described etching process is soft etching using sodium persulfate, for example. The thickness removed by the etching process may be controlled by the temperature and duration of etching or the concentration of an etching solution (sodium persulfate).

The thickness removed by etching is preferably not smaller than 1 μm and not greater than 10 μm. A thickness t2 of smaller than 5 μm of each of the etched metal foils 2 a, 2 b may result in increased possibility of disconnections in conductor patterns, whereas a thickness t2 of greater than 20 μm of each of the etched metal foils 2 a, 2 b may result in deteriorated flexural properties. For this reason, it is preferred that each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b has a uniform thickness t2 of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 20 μm.

After this, each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b having its thickness reduced by etching is cleaned with an acid, and subsequently, a photoresist (not shown) is formed on the surface of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b. The resulting metal foils 2 a, 2 b are patterned into a desired shape by exposure and development processes.

Consequently, conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b are formed, as shown in FIG. 1( g). Each of the conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b has a width of 75 μm, for example, and a pitch of 75 μm, for example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1( h), the conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b, electroless copper plating layer 3, and electrolytic copper plating layer 4 are coated with a cover lay 5 that is made of a polyimide resin with an adhesive. The cover lay 5 has a thickness of 20 μm, for example. In this case, a terminal (contact) 11 of the conductor pattern 21 a is left exposed.

After this, by electroless nickel/gold plating, an electroless gold plating layer 7 is formed on the terminal 11 of the exposed conductor pattern 21 a. The thickness of the electroless nickel/gold plating is preferably such that the nickel is not smaller than 1 μm and not greater than 5 μm, and the gold is not smaller than 0.05 μm and not greater than 0.2 μm.

In the foregoing manner, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 is formed on the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 3 during the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 shown in FIG. 1( d), which makes the current density including that of the peripheral region of the through hole 6 uniform. This allows for a uniform thickness of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 on the peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6 (FIG. 1( e)). Moreover, during the step of FIG. 1( e) that follows the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 is removed except the portions on the inner surface 6 a and the peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6, and then the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b is reduced during the step of FIG. 1( f). This allows for further improved flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board. In addition, the flexibility of the insulating substrate 1 even further improves the flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board. This results in a double-sided printed circuit board with improved flexural properties and electrical connection reliability.

Next, a method for manufacturing the insulating substrate 1 having the metal foils 2 a, 2 b on its both sides is described. The metal foils 2 a, 2 b are formed on both sides of the insulating substrate 1 without using an adhesive.

More specifically, the solution of a polyamic acid resin is applied on the surface of the metal foil 2 a, and then cured by drying and heating to form a polyimide resin layer on the surface of the metal foil 2 a. Also, the solution of a thermoplastic polyimide resin is applied on the surface of the metal foil 2 b and then dried to form a thermoplastic polyimide resin layer on the surface of the metal foil 2 b. After this, the polyimide resin layer is superimposed on the thermoplastic polyimide resin, and the two layers are bonded by applying pressure and heat using a heat press. In this manner, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b are formed on both sides of the insulating substrate 1 without using an adhesive.

(2) Second Embodiment

Next, FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f), 2(g), 2(h) are cross sectional views showing the steps of manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to the second embodiment. The manufacturing steps of the double-sided printed circuit board in the second embodiment differ from the manufacturing steps of the double-sided printed circuit board in the first embodiment as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 2( a), an insulating substrate 1 having a metal foil 2 a and a metal foil 2 b on its both sides is prepared. Each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b is made of copper, and the insulating substrate 1 is made of a layer of polyimide resin. The insulating substrate 1 preferably has a thickness t0 of not smaller than 12.5 μm and not greater than 125 μm, and each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b preferably has a thickness t1 of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 35 μm.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2( b), a blind via hole 6 c is formed in a prescribed position such that it passes through the metal foil 2 a and insulating substrate 1. The blind via hole 6 c is formed by drilling, punching, laser machining or other processes. The inside diameter of the blind via hole 6 c is preferably not smaller than 25 μm and not greater than 500 μm.

Then, a conductive layer is formed on the insulating substrate 1, metal foil 2 a, and metal foil 2 b. In the second embodiment, an electroless copper plating layer is used as the conductive layer as in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 2( c), the electroless copper plating layer 3 is formed on an inner surface 6 d of the blind via hole 6 c and the surfaces of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b. The metal foil 2 a and metal foil 2 b are electrically connected through the electroless copper plating layer 3. The electroless copper plating layer 3 has a thickness of 0.3 μm, for example.

After this, electrolytic copper plating is applied to the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 3 to form an electrolytic copper plating layer 4, as shown in FIG. 2( d). The electrolytic copper plating layer 4 preferably has a thickness of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 20 μm, for example.

Etching is then performed with an etch resist (not shown) formed on the portions of the blind via hole 6 c and a peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole to remove the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 except the portions of the blind via hole 6 c and the peripheral region 6 e, as shown in FIG. 2( e).

It is preferred that the peripheral region 6 e is defined within the range of a radius of not smaller than 100 μm and not greater than 500 μm, for example, of the center of the blind via hole 6 c.

After removing the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 except the portions of the blind via hole 6 c and the peripheral region 6 e, the electroless copper plating layer 3 and the metal foils 2 a, 2 b are etched except the portion on the peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c to reduce the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b, as shown in FIG. 2( f).

The thickness removed by the above-described etching process is preferably not smaller than 1 μm and not greater than 10 μm. Each of the etched metal foils 2 a, 2 b preferably has a uniform thickness t2 of not smaller than 5 μm and not greater than 20 μm.

After this, each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b having its thickness reduced by etching is cleaned with an acid, and subsequently a photoresist (not shown) is formed on the surface of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b. The resulting metal foils 2 a, 2 b are patterned into a desired shape by exposure and development processes.

In this manner, conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b are formed as shown in FIG. 2( g). Each of the conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b has a width of 50 μm, for example, and a pitch of 50 μm, for example.

Further, the conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b, electroless copper plating layer 3, and electrolytic copper plating layer 4 are coated with a cover lay that is made of a polyimide resin with an adhesive, as shown in FIG. 2( h). The cover lay 5 has a thickness of 20 μm, for example. In this case, a terminal 11 of the conductor pattern 21 a is left exposed.

After this, by electroless nickel/gold plating, an electroless gold plating layer 7 is formed on the exposed terminal 11 of the conductor pattern 21 a. The thickness of the electroless nickel/gold plating is preferably such that the nickel is not smaller than 1 μm and not greater than 5 μm, and the gold is not smaller than 0.05 μm and not greater than 0.2 μm.

In the foregoing manner, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 is formed on the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 3 during the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 shown in FIG. 2( d), which makes the current density including that of the peripheral region of the through hole 6 uniform. This allows for a uniform thickness of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 on the peripheral region 6 e of the through hole 6 (FIG. 2( e)). Moreover, during the step of FIG. 2( e) that follows the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 is removed except the portions on the inner surface 6 d and the peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c, and then the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b is reduced except the portion on the peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c during the step of FIG. 2( f). This allows for further improved flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board. In addition, the flexibility of the insulating substrate 1 even further improves the flexural properties of the double-sided printed circuit board. This results in a double-sided printed circuit board with improved flexural properties and electrical connection reliability.

(3) Correspondence Between Each claim Element and Each Component in the Preferred Embodiment

In the first embodiment and second embodiment, each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b corresponds to a conductor layer or a metal film; the electroless copper plating layer 3 corresponds to a conductive layer or an electroless metal plating layer; the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 corresponds to an electrolytic metal plating layer; the metal foils 2 a, 2 b correspond to first and second metal layers, respectively; the polyamide resin layer corresponds to a first resin layer; the thermoplastic polyamide resin layer corresponds to a second resin layer; and the cover lay 5 corresponds to a resin layer. The metal foil 2 a, polyamide resin layer, thermoplastic polyamide resin layer, and metal foil 2 b correspond to a laminate.

In the first embodiment, the through hole 6 corresponds to a via hole or a through hole.

In the second embodiment, the blind via hole 6 corresponds to a via hole or a hole.

(4) Other Embodiments

Although the use of a polyimide resin layer as the material of the insulating substrate 1 is discussed in each of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, any other insulating films of plastics with high flexibility may also be used as the insulating substrate. For example, a polyimide film, a polyethylene terephthalate film, a polyethylene naphthalate film, a polyether nitril film, a polyethersulfone film, a polyvinyl chloride film or the like may also be used.

It is preferable to use, in particular, a polyimide film, a polyethylene terephthalate film or a polyethylene naphthalate film as the material of the insulating substrate 1, since they are superior in such properties as thermal resistance, dimensional stability, electrical properties, mechanical properties, and chemical resistant properties.

Although the metal foils 2 a, 2 b as conductor layers are made of copper in each of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, other films of a metal including a copper alloy, gold, or aluminum may also be used as conductor layers.

Although the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 is used as an electrolytic metal plating layer in each of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, other electrolytic metal plating layers such as an electrolytic gold plating layer may also be used.

Further, although the step of forming the metal foils 2 a, 2 b on both sides of the insulating substrate 1 without using an adhesive is discussed above, other steps may also be used, for example, a step of forming the metal foils 2 a, 2 b on both sides of the insulating substrate 1 using an adhesive.

In that case, examples of the adhesive include thermosetting adhesives, thermoplastic adhesives, and sticky agents. A combination of the above may also be used.

Moreover, although the electroless copper plating layer 3 is formed over the metal foils 2 a, 2 b in each of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, other electroless metal plating layers which are not of copper plating, such as an electroless gold plating layer, may also be used as a conductive layer instead of the electroless copper plating layer 3. For example, a carbon black layer may be applied. With a carbon black layer instead of the electroless copper plating layer 3, it is preferred to remove, during the step of FIG. 1( c), the carbon black layer on the peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6, and leave the carbon black layer only on the inner surface 6 a of the through hole 6. An electrolytic metal plating with a thickness of not greater than 5 μm may also be formed, if necessary, as a pretreatment for the electroless metal plating layer.

Moreover, although the conductor pattern 21 a is coated with the cover lay 5 of a polyimide resin with an adhesive in each of the first embodiment and second embodiment, a resin film may alternatively be laminated on the conductor pattern 21 a as a resin layer. Such a resin film may be made of a photosensitive resin or non-photosensitive resin. With a photosensitive resin, for example, an aperture may be formed by exposure and development. With a non-photosensitive resin, an aperture may be formed by chemical etching. Alternatively, a resin film having an aperture formed therein may be laminated.

EXAMPLES

In Examples, double-sided printed circuit boards were manufactured according to the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment for evaluation.

Inventive Example 1

In Inventive Example 1, an insulating substrate 1 made of a 25-μm polyimide resin layer and having 18-μm metal foils 2 a, 2 b made of copper on its both sides was prepared.

Next, a through hole 6 with a diameter of 100 μm was formed by laser machining. Then, an electroless copper plating layer 3 with a thickness of 0.3 μm was formed on the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b as a conductive layer. An electrolytic copper plating layer 4 with a thickness of 15 μm was subsequently formed on the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 3.

After the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4, with an etch resist formed on a peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 was etched away except the portions on an inner surface 6 a and the peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6. In inventive Example 1, the peripheral region 6 b was defined in the range of a 250-μm diameter of the center of the through hole 6.

Further, the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b except the portion of peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6 was reduced by 6 μm by etching, so that each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b had a thickness of 12 μm.

Then, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b were etched using a photoresist to form conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b, each having a width of 75 μm and a pitch of 75 μm.

Finally, a cover lay 5 with a thickness of 20 μm was formed with a terminal 11 being exposed. The double-sided printed circuit board was thus obtained.

Inventive Example 2

In Inventive Example 2, an insulating substrate 1 made of a 25-μm polyimide resin layer and having 18-μm metal foils 2 a, 2 b made of copper on its both sides was prepared.

Next, a blind via hole 6 c with a diameter of 75 μm was formed by laser machining. Then, an electroless copper plating layer 3 with a thickness of 0.3 μm was formed over the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b as a conductive layer. An electrolytic copper plating layer 4 with a thickness of 15 μm was subsequently formed on the overall surface of the electroless copper plating layer 4.

After the formation of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4, with an etch resist formed on a peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c, the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 was etched away except the portions on an inner surface and the peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c. In Inventive Example 2, the peripheral region 6 e was defined in the range of a 175-μm diameter of the center of the blind via hole 6 c.

Further, the thickness of each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b except the portion on peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c was reduced by 6 μm by etching, so that each of the metal foils 2 a, 2 b had a thickness of 12 μm.

After this, metal foils 2 a, 2 b were etched using a photoresist to form conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b, each having a width of 50 μm and a pitch of 50 μm.

Finally, a cover lay 5 with a thickness of 20 μm was formed with a terminal 11 being exposed. The double-sided printed circuit board was thus obtained.

Comparative Example 1

In Comparative Example 1, as in Inventive Example 1, an insulating substrate 1 made of a 25-μm polyimide resin layer and having 18-μm metal foils 2 a, 2 b of copper on its both sides was prepared.

Next, a through hole with a diameter of 100 μm was formed by laser machining. Then, an electroless copper plating layer 3 with a thickness of 0.3 μm was formed on the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b as a conductive layer. An etch resist was subsequently formed with an inner surface 6 a and peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6 being exposed, followed by the formation of an electrolytic copper plating layer 4 with a thickness of 15 μm on the electroless copper plating layer 3 on the inner surface 6 a and peripheral region 6 b of the through hole 6. In Comparative Example 1, the peripheral region was defined in the range of a 250-μm diameter of the center of the through hole 6, as in Inventive Example 1.

After removing the plating resist, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b were cleaned with an acid as a pretreatment for photoresist coating. The cleaning process removes the electroless copper plating layer 3.

After this, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b were etched using a photoresist to form conductor patterns 21 a, 21 b, each having a width of 75 μm and a pitch of 75 μm.

Finally, a cover lay 5 with a thickness of 20 μm was formed with a terminal 11 being exposed. The double-sided printed circuit board was thus obtained.

Comparative Example 2

In Comparative Example 2, as in Inventive Example 2, an insulating substrate 1 made of a 25-μm polyimide resin layer and having 18-μm metal foils 2 a, 2 b made of copper on its both sides was prepared.

Next, a blind via hole 6 c with a diameter of 75 μm was formed by laser machining. Then, an electroless copper plating layer 3 with a thickness of 0.3 μm was formed on the insulating substrate 1 and metal foils 2 a, 2 b as a conductive layer. An etch resist was subsequently formed with an inner surface 6 d and peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c being exposed, followed by the formation of an electrolytic copper plating layer 4 with a thickness of 15 μm on the electroless copper plating layer 3 on the inner surface 6 d and peripheral region 6 e of the blind via hole 6 c. In Comparative Example 2, the peripheral region 6 e was defined in the range of a 175-μm diameter of the center of the blind via hole 6 c, as in Inventive Example 2.

After removing the plating resist, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b were cleaned with an acid as a pretreatment for photoresist coating. The cleaning process removes the electroless copper plating layer 3.

Then, the metal foils 2 a, 2 b were etched using a photoresist to form conductor patterns, each having a width of 50 μm and a pitch of 50 μm.

Finally, a cover lay 5 with a thickness of 20 μm was formed with a terminal 11 being exposed. The double-sided printed circuit board was thus obtained.

(Evaluation)

For each of the double-sided printed circuit boards manufactured in the above-described Inventive Example 1, Inventive Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2, the mean value and standard deviation was determined by thirty-two point measurements of the thickness of the peripheral region 6 b or 6 e of the through hole or the blind via hole.

Further, thermal cycle tests were conducted on the double-sided printed circuit boards in Inventive Example 1, Inventive Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 onto which semiconductor devices were soldered. Each of these double-sided printed circuit boards underwent 1000 cycles of thermal cycling from −40° C. to 125° C., followed by continuity tests.

Moreover, flexural tests were conducted (in accordance with JIS C5016) on the double-sided printed circuit boards in Inventive Example 1, Inventive Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2. A flexural test indicates the number of flexure cycles before a disconnection occurs in the conductor patterns formed in the double-sided printed circuit board. Measurements and test results are given in Table shown below:

TABLE 1 difference mean thickness between maximum thickness standard thickness value and flexural value deviation minimum thickness connection properties (μm) (μm) value (μm) reliability (cycles) Inventive 29.6 0.5 2.0 without failure 4000 example 1 Inventive 29.8 0.5 1.9 without failure 3900 example 2 Comparative 30.9 1.9 7.5 disconnection 1200 example 1 Comparative 30.8 1.8 8.0 disconnection 1000 example 2

As shown in Table 1, the mean thickness value of the peripheral region was 29.6 μm for Inventive Example 1; 30.9 μm for Comparative Example 1; 29.8 μm for Inventive Example 2; and 30.8 μm for Comparative Example 2.

It is also seen that the thickness standard deviation of the peripheral region was 0.5 μm for Inventive Example 1; 1.9 μm for Comparative Example 1; 0.5 μm for Inventive Example 2; and 1.8 μm for Comparative Example 2. Further, the difference between the maximum thickness value and the minimum thickness value was 2.0 μm for Inventive Example 1; 1.9 μm for Inventive Example 2; 7.5 μm for Comparative Example 1; and 8.5 μm for Comparative Example 2.

Moreover, the continuity tests conducted on Inventive Example 1 and Inventive Example 2 after the thermal cycle tests showed no failures, whereas the thermal cycle tests on Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 showed the occurrence of disconnections.

Moreover, the result of flexural test for Inventive Example 1 was 4000 cycles; 3900 cycles for Inventive Example 2; 1200 cycles for Comparative Example 1; and 1000 cycles for Comparative Example 2.

The foregoing reveals that the double-sided printed circuit board manufactured according to the method in Inventive Example 1 exhibits less uneven thickness of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 and improved electrical connection reliability and flexural properties, as compared to the double-sided printed circuit board manufactured according to the method in Comparative Example 1. Similarly, the double-sided printed circuit board manufactured according to the method in Inventive Example 2 exhibits less uneven thickness of the electrolytic copper plating layer 4 and improved electrical connection reliability and flexural properties, as compared to the double-sided printed circuit board manufactured according to the method in Comparative Example 2.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 

1. A method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board comprising the steps of: preparing an insulating substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof; forming a via hole that passes through at least one of said conductor layers and said insulating substrate; forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of said via hole and surfaces of said conductor layers; forming an electrolytic metal plating layer on an overall surface of said conductive layer; removing said electrolytic metal plating layer except portions on said inner surface of said via hole and a peripheral region of said via hole; and after removing said electrolytic metal plating layer, processing said conductor layers to form conductor patterns.
 2. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of forming said via hole includes the step of forming a through hole that passes through both of said conductor layers and said insulating substrate as said via hole.
 3. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of forming said via hole includes the step of forming a hole that passes through one of said conductor layers and said insulating substrate.
 4. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, after removing said electrolytic metal plating layer, reducing the thickness of each of said conductor layers except that of said via hole and said peripheral region of said via hole.
 5. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of preparing said insulating substrate includes the step of preparing a flexible substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof as said insulating substrate.
 6. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of preparing said insulating substrate includes the step of preparing an insulating substrate having metal films as said conductor layers on both sides thereof.
 7. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of forming said conductive layer includes the step of forming an electroless metal plating layer as said conductive layer.
 8. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of forming said conductive layer includes the step of forming a carbon layer as said conductive layer.
 9. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said step of preparing said insulating substrate having said conductor layers on the both sides thereof includes the steps of: forming a first resin layer on a first metal layer; forming a second resin layer on a second metal layer; superimposing said second resin layer on said first resin layer to form a laminate including said first metal layer, said first resin layer, said second resin layer, and said second metal layer; and applying pressure and heat to said laminate.
 10. The method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a resin layer on said insulating substrate so as to cover said conductor patterns.
 11. A method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board comprising the steps of: preparing an insulating substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof; forming a via hole that passes through at least one of said conductor layers; and said insulating substrate; forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of said via hole and surfaces of said conductor layers, which have not yet been patterned; forming an electrolytic metal plating layer on an overall surface of said conductive layer; removing said electrolytic metal plating layer except portions on said inner surface of said via hole and a peripheral region of said via hole; and after removing said electrolytic metal plating layer, processing said conductor layers to form conductor patterns.
 12. A method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board comprising the steps of: preparing an insulating substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof; forming a via hole that passes through at least one of said conductor layers; and said insulating substrate; forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of said via hole and surfaces of said conductor layers; forming an electrolytic metal plating layer directly on an overall surface of said conductive layer; removing said electrolytic metal plating layer except portions on said inner surface of said via hole and a peripheral region of said via hole; and after removing said electrolytic metal plating layer, processing said conductor layers to form conductor patterns.
 13. A method for manufacturing a double-sided printed circuit board comprising the following the sequence listed: preparing an insulating substrate having conductor layers on both sides thereof; forming a via hole that passes through at least one of said conductor layers; and said insulating substrate; forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of said via hole and surfaces of said conductor layers; forming an electrolytic metal plating layer on an overall surface of said conductive layer; removing said electrolytic metal plating layer except portions on said inner surface of said via hole and a peripheral region of said via hole; and after removing said electrolytic metal plating layer, processing said conductor layers to form conductor patterns. 